As we celebrate March, Women’s History Month, here are accounts of five women, some working in fields in which men predominate, others reflecting on what fictional heroines have taught them, and all of them raising a voice.

Two excellent stories in a single volume; another grim and civilization-menacing serial; a silly and fun homage to the timeless heroes that fans have enjoyed throughout the decades; a near masterpiece, with grit and compassion to spare

A small town in Pakistan, one woman’s crisis of self, a well-constructed plot, an African American community in Detroit, an Italian family on Staten Island, a wonderful character study, a funny and frighteningly realistic second novel

Explicit sensuality adds to the excitement to Burke’s latest, an emotional journey in an alternative tale from Fleet, Highland seamlessly connects characters and story lines, elephant expert O’Connell has written a fresh mystery thriller

A dangerous, calamity-filled trip through areas of Africa, a psychological profiler is involved in two linked serial murder inquiries, a book recommended for patrons who enjoy mysteries, romance, British manners, and Henry James novels